Court hearing is held for father, stepmother charged with murder of missing KCK boy

A brief court hearing took place Tuesday for a Kansas City, Kan., bail bondsman and his wife, who are accused of killing his 7-year-old son.

Wyandotte County prosecutors charged Michael A. Jones and Heather Jones on Friday with first-degree felony murder and child abuse in the death of the boy identified in court documents as A.J. Family members say the boy’s name is Adrian Jones.

Human remains found last month on property rented by the Jones family in the Piper area of Kansas City, Kan., are suspected of being those of Adrian, although a positive identification has not been made.

A family member has said the boy’s body was fed to pigs on the property.

Michael Jones, 44, has been in custody since the day before Thanksgiving. He was arrested after allegedly firing shots during a domestic disturbance. Prosecutors charged him with aggravated battery and aggravated assault in that case.

While investigating the disturbance, police learned that Adrian had been missing for months. Investigators discovered the remains. An affidavit containing details of the allegations has been sealed by a judge.

Heather Jones, 29, made her first court appearance Monday. Neither defendant attended Tuesday’s private hearing in the chambers of District Judge Mike Grosko.

Their next court appearances were scheduled for Jan. 19.

John Duma, the attorney appointed to represent Michael Jones, and Kiann Spradlin, who represents Heather Jones, both declined to comment after the hearing.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Court hearing is held for father, stepmother charged with murder of missing KCK boy."